Disease

On at least four known alternates,
disease has wiped out or nearly wiped
out mankind. Three of these worlds
were depopulated by deliberate bio-
logical warfare. They are strictly off
limits, their coordinates a secret (and
with good reason: in two cases, the
first scout died despite all precau-
tions). The fourth world, called
Ariane, was hit by mutant influenza in
its year 1915, with over 99.9% mortal-
ity. The virus is fully controllable with
TL8 medicine, and Ariane is being col-
onized, looted, and developed, despite
occasional skirmishes with tribes of
TL2 survivors.